Dance Students Recognised At School Assembly

The Dance students who performed at the recent Arts Factor Secondary Dance Eisteddfod were awarded their certificates and ribbons at the school assembly on 30th October.

At the school assembly this week the large group of talented dancers who competed in last month’s Arts Factor Secondary Dance Eisteddfod were recognised.

Arts Factor is a program of events organised by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese to enable schools to share their arts learning and talents with each other. The Catherine McAuley students competed against other schools in the Diocese in jazz dance, contemporary dance and hip hop. Catherine McAuley Dance Teacher Ms Flynn told the assembly that the McAuley dancers performed exceptionally well in each of these categories.

The adjudicator on the day was the Australian choreographer, performer and teacher Sarah Boulter. Sarah’s work has been showcased on numerous platforms across the world including the global television hit, ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’

In the solo section Kaitlin C., Year 11 performed a hip hop routine and Caitlyn G., Year 9 performed a lyrical dance. Both students received a Highly Commended for their performances. Adjudicator Sarah Boulter said that Kaitlin was a beautiful performer who demonstrated a natural quality in her movements and that Caitlyn had a lovely focus, a good understanding of how the body moves and created beautiful shapes in her lyrical performance.

Congratulations to both Kaitlin and Caitlyn, as well as Marissa C., Ashleigh D. and Emily C., who have been invited to work with Sarah on a dance piece for the Captivate Dance Festival on 18th November.

The Junior Jazz Dance Company received 3rd place for their performance of ‘Break My Vogue’ and were told by the adjudicator that it was a strong performance which was well rehearsed as shown by their good unison work and spatial awareness. The Junior Jazz Dance Company has also been selected to perform at the upcoming Captivate Dance Festival. The Senior Jazz Dance Company performed, ‘What You Waiting For’ and were praised for their great choreography whilst the Hip Hop Crew were told they had good energy and showed fantastic work.

The Contemporary and Lyrical Dance Company were awarded a Highly Commended for their performance of the work Syren. Adjudicator Sarah said they showed innovative choreography and the movement quality was performed with great light and shade. Sarah was particularly impressed by their lovely command of the stage and the strength the dancers were developing in their movements.

Ms Flynn invited School Principal Ms Refalo to present all the students who performed at the Captivate event with their certificates and ribbons.

Parents will be able to view these dances, as well as music and drama performances, at the upcoming Performing Arts Showcase on Wednesday, 27th November.